International Journal of Mechanical and Production

Engineering Research and Development (IJMPERD)

ISSN(P): 2249-6890; ISSN(E): 2249-8001
Vol. 8, Issue 6, Dec 2018, 865-872
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF CONTACT STRESS AND CONTACT ZONE

ANALYSIS OF CYLINDRICAL (ROLLER) & SPHERICAL

(BALL) BEARINGS IN EPICYCLOID CONDITION

HARRSH K. DUBEY1, SATISH P. LOKHANDE1 & RAJAT G. KAWALKAR2

1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Priyadarshini College of Engineering, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
2
Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT

This paper reports Contact Stress and Contact Zone Analysis of cylindrical (Roller) & Spherical (Ball) Bearings
using M. F. Spotts Analytical Equation for epicycloid condition. The different combinations of ratios of its outer radius
and inner radiusi.e. (R2, R1) and the elasticity of the material E1, E2 have been considered to investigate the compressive
stresses (P0), and the contact zone (a) on the surfaces of the ball & Roller bearing i.e. Analytical method is applied for the
analysis of both spherical and cylindrical type of Ball Bearing Cavity. The results are compared between both type of
bearings and final interpretation has been made.

Original Article
KEYWORDS: Contact Stress, Contact Zone, Analytical Method & Ball Bearing

Received: Oct 25, 2018; Accepted: Nov 15, 2018; Published: Dec 19, 2018; Paper Id.: IJMPERDDEC201888

1. INTRODUCTION

A bearing is a supporting member between two machine parts when there is a relative motion between
them. Ball and roller bearings which are commonly known as antifriction bearings have a major role in reducing the
friction between machine elements when there is a relative motion between them. At initial conditions and at
moderate speeds ball and roller bearings have a very low value of friction however at high speed, they are less
effective than a properly designed journal bearing. Therefore, cylindrical (roller) bearing are basically employed for
high speed since they provide a kinematic line contact as compared to spherical (ball) bearing which will make point
contact. All these varieties of bearings have been brought to their present state of perfection only by many years of
research and experimentation. Standardization of many different type and sizes of bearings has been most helpful to
the designer.

Figure1: Schematic Diagram for the Cylindrical (Roller) and

Spherical (Ball) Bearing in a Dynamic Condition

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866 Harrsh K. Dubey, Satish P. Lokhande & Rajat G. Kawalkar

In this context, one has to understand that the material near the contact zone in actual operation is under very
high stress, but the stress rapidly diminishes for points at some distance away as the ball or the roller changes its point of contact.
While the surrounding material at low stress is effective in preventing lateral expansion of the highly stressed material, the
highly stressed material is thus in the state of plain strain. The ball bearing geometry consists of axial force (P1), inner radius
(R1), outer radius (R2), contact zone of the two balls (a) which can be seen in figure 1 below:

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Many researchers have carried out the Contact stress & contact Zone analysis, of the ball and roller bearings. M. F.
Spotts1 has framed the equation of contact stress and contact zone experimentally for cylindrical (roller) and spherical (ball)
bearings in dynamic conditions. G. T. Hahn2 has used the Hertzian equation for the calculation of residual stresses and
plastic deformation using torsion test carried out by Finite element method. C. T. Walters3 has tried to study the dynamics
involved by using Runga Kutta Method for four and six degrees of freedom. T. E. Tallion4 has evaluated the various modes
of failure according to the contact stress situation and has given guidelines to prevent them. R. Pandiyarajana5 has tried to
find out contact stress distribution of a large ball bearing using Hertzian elliptical contact theory.

3. PROBLEM, SCOPE & METHODOLOGY

All through the 2-D geometry of spherical (ball) bearing and cylindrical (roller) bearing appears to be same there is
a wide variation in the amount of maximum compressive stress and contact zone when the axial force is applied to both this
structures in a dynamic condition. When two spheres (ball bearing) are in contact, they form a point contact and when two
cylindrical (roller bearings) are in contact, they form line contact.

By keeping the outer radius (R2) constant and varying the axial load (P1) and inner radius (R1), the maximum
compressive stress and contact zone have been calculated analytically from the dynamic equation derived by M. F. Spotts
experimentally for the cylindrical and spherical ball bearings. It was found that the rotating bearings undergo a fatigue failure
rather than failing due to compressive stress in the balls or races. This phenomena is quite complex and involves the various
stress cycles which depend on the number of balls or roller in the bearing. The above-stated factors give an inquisitiveness to
undergo a comparative study of ball and roller bearing using the analytical equations given by M. F. Spotts. The scope and
methodology for the present work are as follows:

In the Present research work, an approach for the analysis of the ball and roller bearing has been carried out under
axial compressive load (maximum axial load of 1000 N has been considered for analysis) and gradually it has been reduced
to study the effects.

The outer radius has been kept constant R2 = 30mm the inner radius R1 have been varied as 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
mm respectively The values for outer compressive stress for both the spherical and cylindrical ball bearings have been
compared using 2D graph and results have been analyzed. The analytical equation for Cylindrical (Roller) and Spherical
(ball) bearing given by M. F. Spotts are as follows:

  1 1   E1 E 2  
2 2

P0 = 0.6163 P +    (1)
  R1 R2   E1 + E 2  
 

Equation (1), Equation for Spherical Contact Stress

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An Analytical Study of Contact Stress and Contact Zone Analysis of 867
Cylindrical (Roller) & Spherical (Ball) Bearings in
Epicycloid Condition

  1 1   R1 R2  
a = 0.8803  P1  +     (2)
  E1 E 2  R
 1 + R 2 

 

Equation (2), Equation for Spherical Contact Zone

  1 1   E1 E 2  
P0 = 0.591  P1  +     (3)
  R1 R2   E1 + E 2  
 

Equation (3), Equation for Cylindrical Contact Stress

  1 1   R1 R2  
a = 1.076  P1  +     (4)
  E1 E 2   R1 + R2  
 

Equation (4), Equation for Cylindrical Contact Zone

Figure 2: Graph Between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=08 & R2=30

Figure 3: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=10 & R2=30

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868 Harrsh K. Dubey, Satish P. Lokhande & Rajat G. Kawalkar

Figure 4: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=12 & R2=30

Figure 5: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=14 & R2=30

Figure 6: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=16 & R2=30

Figure 7: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=18 & R2=30

Impact Factor (JCC): 7.6197 SCOPUS Indexed Journal NAAS Rating: 3.11
An Analytical Study of Contact Stress and Contact Zone Analysis of 869
Cylindrical (Roller) & Spherical (Ball) Bearings in
Epicycloid Condition

Figure 8: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Stresses at

R1=20 & R2=30

Figure 9: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=08 & R2=30

Figure 10: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=10 & R2=30

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870 Harrsh K. Dubey, Satish P. Lokhande & Rajat G. Kawalkar

Figure 11: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=12 & R2=30

Figure 12: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=14 & R2=30

Figure 13: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=16 & R2=30

Impact Factor (JCC): 7.6197 SCOPUS Indexed Journal NAAS Rating: 3.11
An Analytical Study of Contact Stress and Contact Zone Analysis of 871
Cylindrical (Roller) & Spherical (Ball) Bearings in
Epicycloid Condition

Figure 14: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=18 & R2=30

Figure 15: Graph between Spherical & Cylindrical Contact Zone at

R1=20 & R2=30

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

• It is observed from Fig. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 that the contact stresses for spherical (Ball) bearing will always be greater
than cylindrical (Roller) bearing at any value of applied force. It is therefore recommended that one should select
ball bearing only for low-speed applications otherwise for high speed and larger compressive force roller bearing
would perform well.

• It is observed from Fig. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 that with the increase in the value of R1, the contact stress in the ball
bearing is constantly decreasing whereas in roller bearing the contact stress remains constant with negligible
variations. Hence, it is suggested to keep both the radius same as far as possible in case of a ball bearing to have a
better performance while roller bearing remains unaffected with the difference in the radius of the rolling surfaces.

• It is observed from Fig. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 that the contact zone for both the cases i.e. ball and roller bearing
increases with the increase in radius. However, in any case, the numerical value of the contact zone for roller
bearing will be less when compared with ball bearing.

• Hence, it can be concluded that in any condition cylindrical (Roller) bearings are far more effective than spherical
(Ball) bearing.

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872 Harrsh K. Dubey, Satish P. Lokhande & Rajat G. Kawalkar

CONCLUSIONS

The Analytical Study of Contact Stress and Contact Zone Analysis of cylindrical (Roller) & Spherical (Ball)
Bearings, in Epicycloid Condition Suggest that ball bearings are applicable for low speed applications while roller bearings
are applicable for higher speed applications. The study further suggests that the radius of both the surfaces in case of ball
bearing should be kept constant for negligible variations in the contact stresses while roller bearing is free from such
bindings. Hence at the outset cylindrical (Roller) bearings are far more effective than spherical (Ball) bearing in all working
conditions.

REFERENCES

1. Spotts, M. F. (1948). Mechanical Design Analysis. Chicago: Northwestern University.

2. G. T. Hahn, V. B. (1987). Analysis of the Rolling Contact Residual Stresses and Cyclic Plastic Deformation of SAE 52100 Steel
Ball Bearings. The American Society of Mechanical Engineeres, 618-626.

3. Walters, C. T. (1971). The Dynamics of Ball Bearings. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1-10.

4. Tallian, T. E. (2008). On Competing Failure Modes in Rolling Contact. Taylor & Francis Online, 418-439.

5. R. Pandiyarajan, M... (2012). Contact Stress Distribution of Large Diameter Ball Bearing Using Hertzian Elliptical Contact
Theory. Elsevier, 264-269.

6. Grabulov, R. P. (2010). EBSD investigation of the crack initiation and TEM/FIB analyses of the microstructural changes around
the cracks formed under Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF). Elsevier, 576-583.

7. El-Giar, Osama. Full Multi Grid Method With polar and Spherical Polar to Cartesian Grid Transform for Solving Two and
Three Dimensional Elliptic Partial Differential Equation.

8. Claudio Braccesi, L. L. (2007). A general elastic–plastic approach to impact analisys for stress state limit evaluation in ball
screw bearings return system. Elsevier, 1272-1285.

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